oil pastel workshops

portraits

In my classes I teach all the techniques necessary when using oil pastels to create a portrait, from identifying the different colours zones to the underpainting techniques and the visual textures you can achieve using oil pastels.

By the end of the workshop you will have created your own unique and expressive oil pastel portrait.

Suitable for teens and adults.

See my next classes coming up here.

A brief layout of the workshop includes:

  • Introduction to oil pastel brands and the best tools for blending and layering them.

  • How to use oil pastels effectively.

  • Identifying colour zones in a variety of portraits.

  • Underpainting techniques.

  • Visual textures that can be achieved using oil pastels.

  • Create a unique and expressive portrait through blending and layering techniques.

  • The best varnishes and finishes to use.


“I have thoroughly enjoyed both workshops by Declan. He is a great teacher and artist and was great at presenting and explaining various techniques used in oil pastel painting. I loved the fact that the groups were quite small so that we all had time to get feedback on our work in progress. I’d highly recommend his workshops and I’m looking forward to the next one!”

Paulina Klaudia - 2020


“I loved the portrait class today, Declan gives great support and direction while allowing individual styles to flourish. some great tips and tricks brought away from the day. highly recommend his class.”

Karen Moroney - 2019

“Our 10 year old daughter is so happy to have started individual classes with Declan. He is a really positive, encouraging and inspirational teacher and she loves every minute of the classes. It is great to see her excitement in art being supported by Declan's talent as a teacher!”

Emer O’ Flynn and Mike Murphy - 2019

“If you ever wondered how Declan O' Meara is as a teacher here’s my story. I took a mixed media class with Declan O' Meara, it was a 6 week I think. I had never done an art class before. After attending I fell in love with art and i am going to be attending Crawford College of Art and Design this September. So thank you Declan for helping me discover my love of art”

Siobhan Quinlan - 2018


“I recently attended Declan’s class on oil pastel portraits. I really enjoyed every single class and Declan gave excellent instructions on how to develop our work. I will definitely be back for another class and would highly recommend him as a teacher.”

Elaine Doody - 2016

“Declan is a personable and patient teacher which makes his classes very relaxed and fun. He is generous with his talent and I came away with a range of newly acquired art skills, adaptable to any medium. An absolute treat! I highly recommend his classes for beginners and more experienced artists alike.”

Catherine Philpott - 2016


“I attended Declan's Intro to Oil Pastel Portrait workshop and I had never used oil pastels before. I was very impressed by how much I learnt in just one class and by the results I got at the end. Declan was an amazing teacher, very patient and knowledgable. I would definitely go again!”

Lucie Delmotte - 2019